High School Insider: Michigan Making Mark in Recruiting; LI Juniors Bruckner, Zenker Reflect on Thei

IL High School Insider Joe Lombardi, the author of the “Lax with Joe” blog at LaxLessons.com, focuses on the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region. Joe is also an analyst for the MSG Varsity television network and is the primary author of the new edition of “Lacrosse for Dummies,” which was released in 2010. You can follow Joe Lombardi on Twitter @joe_lombardi or by clicking here. You can follow LaxLessons on Twitter @LaxLessons or by clicking here.

Imagine the atmosphere at “The Big House,” Michigan Stadium, when the Ohio State and University of Michigan men’s lacrosse teams meet for the first time as Division I programs prior to Michigan’s annual spring football game.

Ryan Breen won’t have to imagine.

The fast and physical lefty defenseman at the Taft School in Connecticut will be a member of the inaugural Division I team in Michigan history this coming spring.

On the surface, that may not sound surprising.

After all, with its status as one of the nation’s marquee collegiate athletic programs, it stands to reason the Wolverines will attract marquee recruits now that they are moving up to the Division I level.

Breen’s path to Ann Arbor, though, is noteworthy in that he originally committed to play at Lafayette.

“I ultimately felt that Lafayette was not the best fit for me,” the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Breen told LaxLessons.com. “When the opportunity arose to attend and play for Michigan, I felt that this was what I wanted and I decided to make the switch.”

Duke’s LI surge spreads to Suffolk

As we’ve been telling you, Duke has been on a roll when it comes to landing commitments from Long Island rising juniors.

The Blue Devils landed their first commitment from a junior out of Suffolk County when versatile midfielder Jack Bruckner verballed last week.

“I was impressed with the campus itself,” Bruckner told LaxLessons.com. “It was truly stunning. The lax team has a brand-new gym, their locker room is sick and the coaches are so nice.”

Bruckner also considered Princeton, Brown, Notre Dame and North Carolina.

For the full story on Bruckner's decision, as well as a rundown of Duke’s junior Long Island commits, click here.

Zenker’s commit gives Duke its third Chaminade junior

Three of the five commitments Duke has landed from Long Island rising juniors have been by players from Chaminade High School in Mineola.

The latest: midfielder Tommy Zenker, who joins CHS classmates Danny Fowler and Brian Dunne, who happens to be Zenker’s first cousin.

“Having two other classmates already commit to Duke was a big factor in my decision,” Zenker told LaxLessons. “I’m glad to know that I’ll be spending four more years with two very good friends. Already knowing two kids that I will be going to college with makes the process much less frightening.”